One of the most admired leaders of the global Creative Commons movement is turning the page on his latest chapter of service to the commons. Judge Jongsoo (Jay) Yoon has completed his term as a member of the Creative Commons Board of Directors, where he has served since 2013. Jay will now continue to support CC as a member of our Advisory Council.

Jay is currently in private practice, having previously served as a presiding judge at the Seoul Northern District Court. His interests center on social and legal issues related to intellectual property rights, personal information, internet governance, and IT. As a volunteer for CC, Jay’s work was crucial to the founding of CC Korea, one of the strongest chapters in the network. In 2015, Jay and the CC Korea team hosted the CC Summit in Seoul – bringing together 300 members of the CC community for what was our largest gathering to date. The CC community is indebted to Jay for his tireless work translating CC licenses, advocating for openness and sharing, and – especially – leading and mentoring the next generation of commoners in Asia and beyond.

In the words of former CC Chair and CEO Joi Ito, “Jay is a vital part of the CC soul — from judicial expertise to rock-and-roll guitarist to tireless service to infinite hope, cheer and humor to community organizer to sharp legal mind. Jay is truly my hero and a dear friend and colleague.”

“There are a handful of my most cherished memories about Creative Commons,” adds CC founder Lawrence Lessig. “Watching CC-Korea launch is among those few. To watch not just the energy and joy of everyone, but the inspiration that Judge Jay gave everyone, made me feel for certain just how wonderful was the thing we’ve all helped build. I will always think of the inspiration and energy of Jay; I will always be jealous of the karaoke. And I will always be hoping for another excuse to visit and watch the happiness he spreads everywhere, and that we were so lucky to share.”

The board has prepared a tribute to Jay in English and Korean, which is below. From all of us: thank you, Jay, for your service, your leadership, and your friendship.

———–

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Creative Commons, CC staff, and the worldwide CC network and community have benefitted invaluably from the enduring service, wisdom, and kindness of Director Jay Yoon,

WHEREAS, Jay was recruited to join the Creative Commons Board on account of his brilliance, warmth, modesty, and leadership, and has never failed to demonstrate those qualities;

WHEREAS, CC Korea, under Jay’s leadership, has taken on many creative and innovative projects, extended its interest into new and relevant areas, and welcomed the global CC community to Korea;

WHEREAS Jay has furthered the open education movement and supported a range of global CC initiatives, such as the OER copyright survey, translation of integral CC education documents, and the CC School of Open;

WHEREAS, Jay has inspired and mentored his colleagues to become visionary and committed members of the CC community, who serve as CC ambassadors in Korea and beyond;

WHEREAS, Jay is the embodiment of CC’s aspirations worldwide as an international organization, reach and inspiration, instilling joy in connection with sharing and collaboration, most demonstrably through his generous commitment and support in hosting the 2015 CC Global Summit in Seoul, Korea

WHEREAS, Jay exemplifies what is best about CC: collaboration, gratitude, excellence, and impact;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors does hereby express its heartfelt gratitude for Jay’s extraordinary efforts, for the inspiration he has provided to us and the entire CC community, for the example he continues to set for our work, and for his friendship.